Elizabeth R

Elizabeth R. Osborn Fall 2001

American History I: United States History to 1865

H105 Mon and Weds section C330 2:30-3:45 LE103

Office: CA 243C

Office phone: 274-7463

Office Hours: Weds 8:30-9:30 am; Mon 12-1; and by appt.

History office: CA 504M (mailbox)

Description: This course introduces you to major political, economic, and social changes in the United States from the time of European "discovery" to the Civil War. It will help you to develop analytical skills [not just what happened, but some of the reasons why] as well as learning how to articulate your ideas both verbally and in writing. We will look at major events such as the American Revolution, the Market Revolution, and the growth of sectional tensions from the point of view of the ordinary American.

At the end of this course students will be able to:

! Recognize the major events and people in American history through 1865

! Analyze primary source documents and understand why this is an important skill

! Articulate and support (on exams, papers, and in class discussions) a sound position on an historical topic

! Compare historical events from the perspective of different groups and account for any variation

Required Texts: (available at the IUPUI bookstore and Folletts)

Out of Many, Brief Edition, Volume I 3^rd ed (John Mack Faragher, et. al. )

A More Perfect Union, Volume I 5^th ed. (Ronald F. Boller)

Classic Slave Narratives (ed. by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.)

Grading/Requirements*:

1) You will have 3 blue book exams. These exams will cover content from the textbook, Boller, lecture, class discussion, and any other material indicated by the instructor. Exam format may include essays, identifications, multiple choice, mapping, chronologies, etc. Each exam will be worth approximately 20% of your final grade.

2) You will have 3 short answer reading quizzes. These quizzes will cover content from Boller. Each quiz will be worth approximately 10% of your final grade. I will count your 2 highest scores for a total of approximately 20% of your final grade. There will be no make-up quizzes. Quiz dates are on the syllabus–plan accordingly. The exact readings covered by each quiz will be posted on Oncourse.

3) You will write one short paper, 3-5 pages typed, on the slave narrative of your choice from the Gates text. You must sign up for the selection of your choice by noon Weds 9/5. Due date will depend on the narrative you choose (10/1, 11/5 or 12/3). Complete information about this assignment is posted on Oncourse. The paper will be worth approximately 15% of your final grade.

4) Your participation will make up the final 5% of your grade. Participation requires both your general attendance and regular contributions to class discussions. In addition, I will periodically assign short miscellaneous assignments as a part of this grade. There are no make-ups for these assignments.

* In the calculation of the semester grade, improvement over the course of the semester is an important consideration and can raise the final grade above the mathematical average.

* Every effort will be made to return all work within one week or by the 3rd class meeting after it is collected. Papers may take up to 2 weeks. Late exams/assignments and extra credit will be graded as time permits.

Course Policies:

Attendance: You are expected to attend all class meetings (as per new university policy, attendance will be taken) and to complete the readings before the first class meeting each week. Everyone is automatically given 3 “free” absences. If you are gone for job related requirements, sporting events, doctor’s appointments, illness, etc. it will be deducted from these 3 “free” absences. Remember, you may not make up a quiz, exam, or class assignment if it falls on a day you are absent.

Absences will only be excused at the instructor’s discretion and in extreme circumstances (hospitalization–not merely a doctor’s appointment, death in the family, etc.) and with appropriate documentation. Please do not e-mail me telling me you will be absent–that is why you get 3 freebies. After 3 absences, if you feel that you have extenuating circumstances warranting an excuse, please come and see me in person during office hours.

3% points will be deducted from your final course average for each absence after your 3 freebies. More than 6 absences may result in an F for this class.

Due Dates: All assignments/papers are due at the beginning class. Late assignments will lose 3% points for each day they are late, including weekends and holidays. Make-ups and late papers are allowed only in exceptional circumstances with appropriate documentation. Students who for extraordinary reasons cannot meet a deadline should discuss their situation with the instructors before the due date.

Oncourse/E-mail: Please familiarize yourself with the Oncourse system that is maintained by the University and is accessible from the IUPUI homepage. I will post announcements, assignments, extra credit ideas, hand outs to be printed and brought to class, and other important information at this site. It is your responsibility to check Oncourse on a regular basis. The system also allows you to easily contact me and your classmates–you simply click on a person’s name in order to send them an e-mail.

Plagiarism:*

A student must not adopt or reproduce ideas, words, or statements of another person without appropriate acknowledgment. A student must give credit to the originality of others and acknowledge an indebtedness whenever he or she does any of the following:

a. Quotes another person’s actual words, either oral or written;

b. Paraphrases another person’s words, either oral or written’

c. Uses another person’s ideas, opinion or theory; or

d. Borrows facts, statistics, or other illustrative material, unless the information is common knowledge.

*(See Indiana University Academic Handbook, p.123)

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Please note:

This syllabus and other course materials can be found on Oncourse and the homepage of the Department of History at http://www.iupui.edu/~history/ Then choose the Schedule of Classes option. Then Fall 2001. You can locate this class by section number, meeting time, or my last name (Osborn). Please see section on Oncourse above as well.

Additions/changes to course policies, procedures, due dates, exam dates, and assignments may be made at any time. Students are responsible for keeping their individual paper copies up-to-date and periodically checking oncourse for posted changes.

Course Schedule and Reading Assignments*

*Reading assignment should be completed BEFORE the first class meeting of the week

Wed 8/22 Introduction

Boller: selections 1-2

Faragher: Chapter 1

Week 1: Mon 8/27 European Motivations for Exploration

Wed 8/29 European Colonization

Boller: selections 3-5

Faragher: Chapter 2and 3

Week 2: Mon 9/3 No Class: Labor Day

Wed 9/5 Life in Early America

Boller: selections 6, 7, 9, 10

Faragher: Chapter 4 and 5

Week 3: Mon 9/10 The French and Indian War

Wed 9/12 Challenging British Rule

Boller: selections 8, 11, 12

Faragher: Chapter 6

Week 4: Mon 9/17 The American Revolution

Wed 9/19 Articles of Confederation and 1^st Boller quiz

Boller: selections 13-14

Faragher: Chapter 7

Week 5: Mon 9/24 Exam (will include map of colonies)

Wed 9/26 The Constitution

Boller: selections15-16

Faragher: Chapter 8 pp.127-132

Week 6: Mon 10/1 The New Republic--the visions of Hamilton & Jefferson

Paper due at the beginning of class (10/1)

Wed 10/3 Life in the New Republic

Boller: selections 17-18

Faragher: Chapter 8 pp.132-141

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Week 7: Mon 10/8 Jefferson and the Louisiana Purchase

Wed 10/10 War of 1812 and the Era of Good Feeling

Boller: selections 19-20

Faragher: Chapter 9

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Week 8: Mon 10/15 End of the Era of Good Feeling

Wed 10/17 The Age of Jackson and the Rise of the Second Party System

Boller: selections 21-24

Faragher: Chapter 10

Week 9: Mon 10/22 The Market Revolution and 2^nd Boller quiz

Wed 10/24 Antebellum Reform Movements

Faragher: Chapter 12

Week 10: Mon 10/29 Antebellum Reform Movements

Wed 10/31 Exam

Boller: selections 27, 29-30, 32

Faragher: Chapter 13

Week 11: Mon 11/5 The Peculiar Institution

Paper due at the beginning of class (11/5)

Wed 11/7 Life Under Slavery

Boller: selections 25, 26, 33

Faragher: Chapter 11

Week 12 : Mon 11/12 Texas and the Mexican War

Wed 11/14 The Far West

Boller: selections 24

Faragher: Chapter 14

Week 13: Mon 11/19 The Crisis of the 1850s

Wed 11/21 No Class: Thanksgiving Holiday

Faragher: Chapter 15

Week 14: Mon 11/26 The Crisis of the 1850s

Wed 11/28 Lincoln’s Election and Secession

Boller: selections 34-37

Faragher: Chapter 15

Week 15: Mon 12/3 The Civil War: Preparing for the War

Paper due at the beginning of class (12/3)

Wed 12/5 The Civil War: Fighting the War and 3^rd Boller quiz

Boller: selections 38-41

Faragher: Chapter 16

Week 16: Mon 12/10 Conclusion

FINAL EXAMINATION

Lecture Hall 103 section C330 Final Exam: 1-3 pm Wednesday 12/12

*All exams in regular classroom